Top QC in attack on prejudicial reporting

Britain's leading human rights barrister has mounted an unprecedented attack on the press, accusing newspapers of creating a dangerous climate of trial by media.

Michael Mansfield QC claims that the growing climate of prejudicial reporting means defendants are being denied a fair trial.

His criticisms come at the same time the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith QC, was forced to issue another warning to the media, the fourth in as many months, after the arrest of the so-called trophy rapist. The Kent suspect is accused of raping nine young girls and women in the Home Counties.

Lord Goldsmith said last week: "It is important that editors in the discharge of their legal duties and in the interests of justice generally, have regard to possible implications for this case when considering the terms of their reporting of the case."

But Mr Mansfield says the time has now come to consider imposing draconian prison sentences to deter newspapers from breaking the law.

It has been more than a century since a newspaper editor has been imprisoned for breaking the contempt of court laws. Mr Mansfield says even fines are rare and these are "easily accommodated" by wealthy media groups.

This year Mr Mansfield unsuccessfully argued that the pre-trial coverage of the case against Barry George who was convicted of murdering TV presenter Jill Dando meant he was denied a fair hearing.